Rindge Technical School - Brownie Yearbook (Cambridge, MA)

Page 10 text:

Mr. W. Ferzoco Mr. P. Nelligan Mr. E. Sarasin Ms. M. Nova Ms. J. Toomey

Page 9 text:

Mr. Robert Sweeney, a graduate of Harvard University in 1932, became Head- master of the Rindge Technical School in March of 1961. He was a teacher pre- viously at Rindge since 1936. He taught various subjects. Among which included: Aeronautics, Physics, and Mathematics. One might expect Mr. Sweeney to be solely a book oriented man because of his Harvard background and his position at Rindge for the past 16 years. This is not true. Mr. Sweeney is very well versed in mechanics and other trades. He is an easy man with whom to carry on a conversation because of his widespread knowledge in various fields of life. When asked what he thought about the combining of Rindge and Latin Schools, Mr. Sweeney replied, that in this era of technology, Rindge was being taken away from the community when it could be most needed. He feels that the only good point about the combining of the schools is the savings to taxpayers. Since fewer children are enrolling in schools due to the decrease in birth rate, two schools might be unnecessary. Mr. Sweeney must retire at the end of 1976-1977 school year due to state law. He said he had no feeling of being forced to retire. Perhaps, this opinion comes from knowing that either way, he and Rindge must soon be apart - forever.

Page 11 text:

Frederick H. Rindge (1857-1905) was a philanthropist and collector. When he was 29 he inherited $3,000,000 from his father, which he used not only for his own ben- efit, but for the benefit of the city as well. He donated the land which was used to build the Main Library, Cambridge High and Latin, City Hall and Rindge. Mr. Rindge also donated land for several buildings in California. The Cambridge Manual Training School was founded in 1888, by Frederick H. Rindge, as a gift to the boys of the city. The name was changed three times within fifty years. It became the Rindge Manual Training School, after Mr. Rindge retired from the support of the school and it was given to the city. After several years, Mr. Frank Parlin, who was then Superintendent of Schools, suggested the name of Rindge Technical School, because of the broadening types of training. As the types of training increased, so did the need for more space. By 1930 the school contained five buildings, which were overcrowded and falling apart. In 1932 they moved to the Old Harvard Grammar School, which had been vacated earlier. They remained there until the new building was completed, later that year. Upon entering the new school a change overcame the students. Not only were they glad that they were all together under one roof, but their attitude towards their studies and surroundings also improved. The new building attracted many more stu- dents, and the membership increased rapidly, reaching a peak of 1700. Unfortunately, as the years passed, the school was forced to drop many of its shops such as Aeronautics, Aero-Construction, Aero-Engines, Forge and Metal- lurgy, Materials of Industry, Radio, Plastics and Pattern Making. These shops were dropped for several reasons. Some were ended because there became a lack of interest in the subject. Others were ceased because the tools and machinery which they needed became outdated and were not replaced by new models. As these shops were cancelled the population of the school decreased. The enrollment which peaked at 1700 eventually dropped to approximately 500, which is what it stands at today. Even though Rindge is small compared to other schools it is considered a giant in sports. The school has had many championship teams in almost every sport it has participated in. This shows that its st udents are athletically talented as well as aca- demically inclined.